2 Corinthians 12:11-21 - "i Seek Not Yours, But You"
"The long burst of passionate self-vindication has now at last expended itself," says Dean Stanley, and Paul returns to the point whence he diverged at 2 Corinthians 10:7, where he was avowing his intention to repress the disobedience of those who still resisted his authority at Corinth. "Now," he says, "my folly is over. That I should have indulged in it is your fault, not mine." What a comfort it is that he lays such repeated stress on his weakness! Instead of complaining of it, he used it as an argument with Christ that He should put forth more grace, and as an argument with his converts, that the results of his work had been granted as the divine endorsement of his apostolate.
Paul felt that his paternal relation to this church gave him the right to rebuke them, as a father rebukes his children. But he realized that they did not reciprocate his love, probably because they permitted the evil things enumerated in the closing verses. Often moral obliquity accounts for the decline and failure of love. Among other things, they had even accused him of getting money, if not directly, yet through Titus. But there were worse things still that needed to be dealt with, 2 Corinthians 12:20-21. Would that we were more often humbled to the dust by the sins of our brethren! [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 12
1For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations, 9yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities; 11blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting 14He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father; 20although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:17
Did I take advantage [επλεονεκτησα] Paul goes right to the point without hedging. For this verb from πλεον pleon and εχω echō to have more, see note on 2 Corinthians 2:11, note on 2 Corinthians 7:2. [source]
By any one of them [τιναδι αυτου] An anacoluthon for τινα tina is left in the accusative without a verb and δι αυτου di' autou takes up the idea, “as to any one by him.” Whom (ων hōn). The genitive relative is attracted from the accusative ους hous into the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτον touton). Μη Mē expects the negative answer as does μητι mēti in 2 Corinthians 12:18. [source]
Whom [ων] The genitive relative is attracted from the accusative ους hous into the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτον touton). Μη Mē expects the negative answer as does μητι mēti in 2 Corinthians 12:18. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 12:17
Acts 20:33No man‘s silver or gold or apparel [αργυριου η χρυσιου η ιματισμου ουδενος] Genitive case after επετυμησα epethumēsa One of the slanders against Paul was that he was raising this collection, ostensibly for the poor, really for himself (2 Corinthians 12:17.). He includes “apparel” because oriental wealth consisted largely in fine apparel (not old worn out clothes). See Genesis 24:53,2 Kings 5:5,Psalm 45:13.; and Matthew 6:19. Paul did not preach just for money. [source]
2 Corinthians 8:20Avoiding this [στελλόμενοι τοῦτο] The verb, which occurs only here and 2 Thessalonians 3:6, means to arrange or provide for. As preparation involves a getting together of things, it passes into the meaning of collect, gather: then contract, as the furling of sails; so, to draw back, draw one's self away, as 2 Thessalonians 3:6. Connect with we have sent, 2 Corinthians 8:18. Compare 2 Corinthians 12:17,2 Corinthians 12:18, where it appears that he had been charged with collecting money for his own purposes. [source]
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:17
Paul goes right to the point without hedging. For this verb from πλεον pleon and εχω echō to have more, see note on 2 Corinthians 2:11, note on 2 Corinthians 7:2. [source]
An anacoluthon for τινα tina is left in the accusative without a verb and δι αυτου di' autou takes up the idea, “as to any one by him.” Whom (ων hōn). The genitive relative is attracted from the accusative ους hous into the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτον touton). Μη Mē expects the negative answer as does μητι mēti in 2 Corinthians 12:18. [source]
The genitive relative is attracted from the accusative ους hous into the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτον touton). Μη Mē expects the negative answer as does μητι mēti in 2 Corinthians 12:18. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 12:17
Genitive case after επετυμησα epethumēsa One of the slanders against Paul was that he was raising this collection, ostensibly for the poor, really for himself (2 Corinthians 12:17.). He includes “apparel” because oriental wealth consisted largely in fine apparel (not old worn out clothes). See Genesis 24:53, 2 Kings 5:5, Psalm 45:13.; and Matthew 6:19. Paul did not preach just for money. [source]
The verb, which occurs only here and 2 Thessalonians 3:6, means to arrange or provide for. As preparation involves a getting together of things, it passes into the meaning of collect, gather: then contract, as the furling of sails; so, to draw back, draw one's self away, as 2 Thessalonians 3:6. Connect with we have sent, 2 Corinthians 8:18. Compare 2 Corinthians 12:17, 2 Corinthians 12:18, where it appears that he had been charged with collecting money for his own purposes. [source]
First aorist passive subjunctive after ινα μη hina mē (negative purpose) of πλεονεκτεω pleonekteō old verb from πλεονεκτης pleonektēs a covetous man (1 Corinthians 5:10.), to take advantage of, to gain, to overreach. In N.T. only in 1 Thessalonians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:17. “That we may not be overreached by Satan.” [source]